Page 6 of Once Upon a Haunted Horn and Hoof

“Nay! Ye canna kill him,” shouted Callum, his hands waving in the air like a madman once again. “He’s already dead. Ye just need to convince him to leave, that’s all. Leave here for good, and never return.”

“If only it were that easy.” Keithen ran a weary hand through his long, blond hair, wishing he had the skill of the Highland warriors and also the cunning of old Callum. Sadly, he had neither.

The door to the tavern burst open, and in walked a line of Highlanders clothed in dark green plaid. Since the MacKeefe’s plaid was purple, brown, and green, he knew they weren’t men from his new clan.

“So, where is this man who’ll be marryin’ my daughter?” asked the gruff-looking man who was surely the chieftain. He held an air of pride and command about him. He also wore more weapons than the others.

“Oh no,” said Keithen.

“I thought they werena comin’ until mornin’,” commented Cam.

“He’s right here, Laird Bhaltair MacNeil.” Callum hurried across the room, grabbing Keithen by the arm and pushing him forward. “His name is Keithen. Keithen MacKeefe. He’s the groom.”

“So, ye’re the MacKeefe who is goin’ to marry my wee Lorna?” The man was big and burly, with a long, reddish-brown beard and thick brows. He also had the largest sword strapped to his side that Keithen had ever seen in his life.

“Aye. I am Keithen,” he said, clearing his throat. “But I’m no’ really a Mac—”

“Best MacKeefe in the clan,” said Cam, slapping Keithen hard on the back to shut him up. “Go with it,” he whispered from the side of his mouth.

“That’s right. Keithen will make a wonderful husband for yer daughter, Laird MacNeil,” added Gavin.

The newcomer’s head snapped around, and he scowled at Gavin. “Chieftain. Call me Chieftain,” growled the man, looking no happier about this arrangement than Keithen was at the moment.

Keithen opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say a word, a beautiful lassie marched in, stopping next to Chieftain MacNeil.

“I thought I told ye to wait outside,” Chieftain Bhaltair MacNeil scolded the girl.

“If I am the one marryin’ the man, then I have a right to meet him, and no’ be kept in the dark. Well, which one is he?” she asked, looking at each of the men in turn.

Keithen was tongue-tied by her beauty. She had long, golden hair like spun sunshine. It was braided and entwined with colorful wildflowers. She held a sprig of heather in her fingers, twirling it around and around as she waited for her answer. Her eyes were bright blue like the sky, but filled with intense scrutiny, like a hawk. Her figure was curvy in all the right places. The lass’s lips were full and red, and her cheeks were rosy. Keithen had been around whores his whole life while working in his tavern. However, even with all their tricks to look enticing to men, none of them could hold a candle to this lassie’s natural beauty.

“I – I am Keithen. Yer groom,” he finally managed to say.

“Yes. I can see that.” She raised a curved brow and nodded. That was when Keithen realized Cam, Gavin, and even old Callum were all pointing directly at him behind his back. “These are my friends, Cam and Gavin, and the tavern’s proprietor, Callum MacKeefe,” he introduced the others.

“Ye seem as if ye were hesitant to admit ye are the groom,” said Bhaltair. “I warn ye, if ye ever think of lyin’ to my daughter, or doin’ a thing to hurt her, I’ll personally have yer head.” The chieftain’s beefy hand covered the hilt of his sword.

“Of course no’. Why would I even think of doin’ somethin’ like that?” Keithen asked nervously, not able to push the thought from his head that Callum told him he had to keep the ghost a secret. Wasn’t that the same as lying? God’s eyes, he hoped not! And now that so many had seen the spirit, did it even matter what he said?

“Where is everyone?” asked the girl, quickly scoping the room.

“Aye. If ye’re goin’ to support my daughter, I’d think this tavern would be busy, which it’s no’.” Bhaltair stared with dark, penetrating eyes that went right through Keithen. This didn’t feel good at all.

“It’s early yet,” explained Callum. “It’ll be busy soon. Right, boys?” Callum glared at Keithen and his friends, as if they actually had control if customers came to the tavern or not.

“Right,” said Cam.

“Sure,” agreed Gavin.

Both of them just stood there.

“Well? Go see what is takin’ the customers so long to get here,” said Callum through gritted teeth. “Bring them in here anon.”

“Yes, we’ll do that.” Keithen took one step forward, but his path was blocked by Bhaltair, who crossed his thick arms over his broad chest.

“I’d think ye’d want to stay here and get to ken yer betrothed, Keithen MacKeefe,” said the gruff man. His intentions to keep Keithen from walking out were clear.

Lorna MacNeil watchedas two of the MacKeefes ran out the front door. The one named Keithen, who she was to marry, seemed to want to leave as well, but her father stopped him. She couldn’t blame her future groom. After all, her father was demanding, overbearing, and downright rude. He scared anyone who met him.